Colossians 1:3-14

3 We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, 5 which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.
6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.

it's amazing to me that I knew the good news of Christ all my life... but it took till now for me to allow it to change me..

7 You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. 8 He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

I was listening to John MacArthur yesterday about my love walk... and he says that anytime we harbor angry or malicious feelings toward someone... this is not walking in love... I am thinking to myself... that is a little unrealistic.. to think that I will not be mad or ever want to smack the mess out of someone... at least I'm not doing it... he said... when Christ died on the cross... He covered the sin that person has done to us... the wrong way they treated us.. so who are we to imply that the blood of Christ is not enough for us to forgive someone... (BOW *$# SMACK *&% BIFF @#%)

9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

COMPLETE knowledge of his will and spiritual wisdom and understanding... how awesome would that be?? instead we get some understanding and wisdom and then allow so many things to sidetrack us and get in the way.... I really want to produce EVERY kind of good fruit... but somehow I will have to get past myself to do it...

11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

I really pray for the patience and endurance that I need to finish this race... I usually am filled with joy despite circumstance... and I am so thankful for that... I am so thankful that God sent His son to die to pay for our sins... really... what more could we ask for... yet somehow we do...